No New Thing

Bill Brinkworth

Most feel that mankind today is more advanced than its ancestors. Granted our technology is far superior to that of earlier days, but really, man’s nature has not changed from when he was first created over 6,000 years ago. He may dress differently, talk differently, ride different transportation, have different entertainment, and do different things, but there are some things in man that will never change. Today, man’s similarities with people of the past include:

The same things happened to people then and today. Mankind has the same feelings, same crimes, same defeats, and same problems. There have always been bullies, fears, heartbreaks, divorces, temptations, uncontentment, unfaithfulness, dishonesty, and other sins, and there always will be.

Same depraved nature. No matter how educated, “advanced”, and wise man thinks he is, man will always have a part of him that will sin. There were adultery, coveteousness, dishonesty, disobedience, lust, and thievery thousands of years before Christ, just as there is today. Since Adam and Eve’s first sin tainted the human race, every one of us has been born with a heart that will sin. The true nature of man has never really changed.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
Jeremiah 17:9

Same consequences for sin. No matter when or what sin is committed there is a price tag for it. The people of Noah’s day, Lot’s day, and even nations of the past, reaped the consequences of their sin. Just as no one got away with sin then, they do not get away with it today!

Sin’s crop always comes after the iniquity was committed, usually produces more then was sown, and its harvest comes when least expected. Cheater’s still get caught; as do liars and thieves. Adulterers and the coveters, even if they think they “got away with it”, still reap the consequences by having an uncontent, unfulfilled life.

Sin can carry its side effects into eternity. For the saved person, not having total obedience to God’s commands will cost him eternal rewards. For the unsaved soul, it will cost him dearly in an eternal Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:14). Sin carries a tremendous price tag. That is why God has done all He can to warn us about being involved with it.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7-8

Same God. Just as God hated the sin of those in Old Testament times, He hates our sins that we commit during these times. Although we are not under the laws of the Old Testament, those laws still show what God likes and dislikes. God has not changed!
“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Malachi 3:6
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8

Nothing has changed since the first man. The troubles you are going through are not unique. Many have gone through the same trials in the past. The good news is the same, unchanging God, that helped them through their valleys can help you and I today. He is the same God with much experience!

This lesson was featured in The Bible View #186.